College of the Canyons, in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and the Heart Gallery, Los Angeles Committee will present TheHeart Gallery, Los Angeles beginning April 17.

The exhibition features photographs of children in the Los Angeles County foster care system who are in need of permanent adoptive families. The exhibition's purpose is to help raise awareness of the need to find permanent, loving homes for over 700 children in Los Angeles County.

The exhibition will run from April 17 through May 1. A reception is planned in the gallery from 6 - 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 17. The public is welcome to view the photographic portraits of the children and enjoy refreshments. Social workers from the Department of Children and Family Services will be available to answer questions about adoptions or about making a difference in a child's life.

Most of the children are school aged, of African American or Latino heritage, may have special needs, and may be part of a sibling group.

The Heart Gallery Los Angeles is one of more than 40 Heart Galleries that have been developed throughout the United States to help find permanent adoptive families for waiting children. This is accomplished by working with community partners and volunteer professional photographers to create a traveling gallery of photographs that feature these children and capture their beauty and spirit for those considering adopting a child.

Admission to the College of the Canyons art gallery is free. A $1 parking permit can be obtained from the south lot or lot #6. This permit allows attendees to part in any regular space in the student lots.

Art gallery and store hours are: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.The gallery is closed Fridays, Sundays and all college holidays.

Additional information regarding this and future exhibitions can be obtained by calling (661) 362-3612.